Episcopal Diocese of Trenton elects new bishop

The Rev. Canon William H. Stokes, rector of St. Paul’s Church in Delray Beach, Fla., was elected as Twelfth Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey on May 4 out of a field of nine nominees. He was elected on the fifth ballot by the election convention meeting at Trinity Cathedral in Trenton. (Contributed Photo.)

TRENTON—The Rev. Canon William “Chip” H. Stokes, rector of St. Paul’s Church in Delray Beach, Fla., has been elected as Twelfth Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey, pending the required consents from a majority of bishops with jurisdiction and standing committees of the Episcopal Church.

Stokes, age 56, was elected on May 4 out of a field of nine nominees. He was elected on the fifth ballot by the election convention meeting at Trinity Cathedral in Trenton.

“I am humbled beyond expression and deeply honored to have been elected as the Twelfth Bishop of New Jersey. I am grateful to the people of the Diocese for their confidence, support and prayers,” Stokes said in a statement. “ The Diocese of New Jersey is a part of the deep history of the Episcopal Church. It is an overwhelming thing to be brought into that history through this election.”

Under the canons of the Episcopal Church, a majority of bishops exercising jurisdiction and diocesan standing committees must consent to the bishop-elect’s ordination as bishop within 120 days of receiving notice of the election.

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Pending a successful consent process, the ordination is scheduled for Nov. 2 at Trinity Cathedral in Trenton.

Stokes will succeed the Right Rev. George Edward Councell who has served as the diocese’s Eleventh Bishop since 2003.

The Diocese of New Jersey ranks sixth among dioceses in the number of churches and tenth in the number of members in the Episcopal Church.